Shafaq News/ The Iraqi Ministry of Defense announced dismantling three terrorist cells and the arrest of the “Amir of ISIS of al- Matahen” in Hawija district in Kirkuk province northern the country.

The Ministry of Defense said in a statement that "detachments of the Directorate of Intelligence and Security of Kirkuk, managed today to dismantle three terrorist cells and arrested members, including Amir of al-Matahen (unnamed) in Hawija district."

"The cell confessed to committing the most heinous human crimes and killing innocent people in cold blood," the statement added.

"The ongoing investigation with members of the terrorist cell resulted in information about the transfer of food and explosive devices, as well as transferring money to the families of ISIS killed members in Kirkuk province,” The statement confirmed.

The statement pointed out that "a joint security force has begun to raid the place and confiscate the materials inside it ."

Recently, ISIS has increased its activity in the border areas with Syria in Nineveh (north) and Anbar provinces (west), Diyala (east), Kirkuk and Salah al-Din (north), where it carried out a series of operations targeting security personnel and civilians.